Ballots for the election went out Tuesday to the 160,000 members of the performers union and must be returned by Aug. 15. The self-styled moderates of the Los Angeles-based UFS faction have dominated elections in recent years, pushing for last year’s successful merger of SAG and AFTRA.

UFS has fielded a slate of 52 candidates, while the revitalized Membership First faction has 16 candidates running, led by Esai Morales challenging Howard for president.

“This election won’t just choose SAG-AFTRA’s leaders for the next two years, it will set our direction for years to come,” Howard said.

Howard revealed last month that SAG-AFTRA leaders plan to begin contract negotiations next year on a successor deal to its feature-primetime contract. No date has been set for the start of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for the successor to the current master contract, which expires June 30.

But several insiders have said privately that they are expecting the union to hold its “wages and working conditions” meetings in February. Those meetings are required for the union to formulate its proposals for the negotiations.

Although I have spent a lot of time, effort and money on my campaign for National President of SAG-AFTRA, I do not wish to split the vote. Esai Morales, a true unionist, shares the same desires and opinions as I do about union issues, especially Background Performers. I am honored to endorse Esai Morales for SAG-AFTRA President wholeheartedly. Although my name is on the Ballot, instead please vote for Esai Morales for SAG-AFTRA National President.”
Thank You,